Lawrence Wolf - Part 18

Baldwin Village Raid Results in 35 Drug-Related Arrests

At least 35 people were arrested recently in Baldwin Village by a joint law enforcement team that included both the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to an article in The Los Angeles Times. The people arrested were believed by authorities to be involved in drug trafficking and/or gang activity in the area. They included both men and women for alleged drug trafficking.

According to the article, both state and federal law enforcement officers have been concerned with drug trafficking in the Baldwin Village area for at least 10 years. Six years ago, a raid similar to the most recent one resulted in 28 arrests of suspected gang members, all of whom were believed by authorities to be running the illegal-drug trade in the area.

The LAPD believes that, although Baldwin Village covers less than one square mile, it houses several hundred gang members. Most or all of these people allegedly belong to the Black P Stones gang. Law enforcement officers suspect that, in addition to the drug charges, these people may also have been involved in recent theft, assault, and carjacking incidents in the area.

Criminal charges in California can be overwhelming to face, particularly when they involve felonies such as drug trafficking, which can carry severe penalties for someone who is convicted. At The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, our Los Angeles drug crime defense lawyers have the legal resources and the courtroom experience needed to present an aggressive defense on your behalf, fighting for the best possible outcome in your case while ensuring your rights are protected. To learn more, call The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″].

Mistakes May Cause Incorrect High Readings on DUI Breath Tests in California

When stopping a driver on suspicion of drunk driving, a police officer may require the driver to take a chemical test to determine the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). Although a chemical test for BAC can be done on a driver’s breath, blood, or urine, most officers begin with an alcohol breath test administered by using a breathalyzer or similar machine.

Like all machines, however, a breath test machine is only as reliable as the person running it. Mistakes in using the breath test machine can cause the reading to be higher than the driver’s BAC actually is, resulting in an arrest or even criminal charges; even though the driver was not in fact violating California’s drunk driving laws.

For instance, a breath test machine will pick up any residual alcohol in the person’s mouth and add it to the reading. A driver who has recently used certain kinds of cold medicine, mouthwash, or other alcohol-containing products may therefore test positive for blood alcohol, even if they are sober. In addition to alcohol left in the mouth, certain other substances can cause some breath test machines to “detect” alcohol whether or not it’s actually present. For instance, some breath test machines are sensitive to cigarette residue, ether, chloroform, or acetone.

Experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer Lawrence Wolf understands that errors in breath testing can result in improper arrests or charges, and he fights for the best possible outcome in each client’s case. For a free and confidential consultation, call The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″].

Understanding Standardized Field Sobriety Tests Used in Los Angeles DUI Cases

When a police officer suspects a driver is driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), the officer may stop the driver in order to search for more clues that the driver has been drinking. Often, police will have a stopped driver perform one or more tests. Known as thestandardized field sobriety tests, these activities are designed to provide clues for police officers that confirm whether or not a person is driving impaired. The three most common standardized field sobriety tests are the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the one-leg stand test, and the walk-and-turn test.

The horizontal gaze nystagmus tests whether the driver’s eyes can follow something smoothly, or if the eyes start to jerk involuntarily the further they look to the side. This jerking movement may be a sign of alcohol intoxication. It may also be a sign of several different neurological defects.

Both the one-leg stand test and the walk-and-turn test require the driver to demonstrate balance and agility. Usually, police officers give all the instructions for the test first, and then wait to see how well a driver can remember and follow them. Meanwhile, the officer is looking for any signs that the driver is intoxicated, even though both tests are difficult to perform correctly, even if a person is sober and able-bodied. People who are tired or who have any one of a wide range of neurological or movement problems are far more likely to fail the test than able-bodied people, even if they have not been drinking.

How well or poorly a driver does on the standardized field sobriety tests are often key pieces of evidence in the prosecution’s case charging a driver with a DUI in California. If you are facing drunk driving charges in California, the experienced Los Angeles DUI attorneys at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf will examine your case carefully, including the results of any sobriety testing, and will fight for the best possible outcome in your case. For a free and confidential consultation regarding your DUI case, call [number type=”1″] today.

Year-Long Drug Crime Investigation in Los Angeles Area Leads to 13 Arrests

After a year of investigating suspected drug crimes in the Los Angeles area, police have arrested 13 individuals whom they believe are dealing drugs in Los Angeles and surrounding communities, according to an article in The Santa Maria Times.

Officers from Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County teamed up with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other local police departments to carry out the investigation, which looked into the activities of gangs in the area as officers searched for signs of illegal drug-related activities. Most of the 13 people arrested are members of one of the gangs under surveillance. Nine of them were arrested on May 2 in a sweep that involved 125 police officers.

A Los Angeles grand jury has indicted 10 of the arrested people on federal charges, charging them with possessing, selling, and/or distributing methamphetamine. Police are still looking for one of the suspects. Four more people were arrested on suspicion of violating California criminal laws, and they will likely face felony charges filed by the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office.

Whether you are charged with violating state law, federal law, or both, being convicted of a felony that involves drugs means facing heavy penalties, including prison time. An aggressive defense by an experienced Los Angeles drug crime defense attorney offers you the best chance of avoiding or reducing these penalties while protecting your rights. At The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, we understand the seriousness of drug crime charges and will fight for the best possible outcome in your case. For a confidential consultation, call us at [number type=”1″] today.

DMV Hearings in California DUI Cases

Many drivers who receive a DUI for the first time are confused about their hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The following is important information from the California Department of Motor Vehicles website regarding the DMV hearing after a DUI.

A DMV hearing is not mandatory. A driver who wants a DMV hearing, usually in the hopes of keeping their driving privileges, must request one. The hearing with the DMV regarding the DUI is not a criminal proceeding. It is a separate proceeding that determines whether or not a person who received a DUI should be allowed to keep their driving privileges.

The DMV hearing will not determine whether or not a person committed a crime. The DMV hearing will determine whether someone took a blood, breath, or urine test or refused testing, whether they were arrested, and whether they had a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher. The DMV hearing will also not take the place of a criminal trial.

Fortunately, if a person who was charged with driving under the influence is acquitted in a criminal trial, any suspension or revocation of driving privileges will be reversed. However, if the charges are merely reduced to reckless driving, any suspension or revocation of driving privileges will not be reversed. If DUI charges were dismissed, or if the district attorney decided not to file DUI charges, a driver may get their driving privileges back, but this is not always the case.

Are you facing DUI charges in California? Are you confused about the criminal charges as well as the driver’s license penalties? If so, contact Los Angeles DUI attorney Lawrence Wolf of the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″] to learn more.

Canoga Park Men Charged With Hate Killing

Staff writer for the Daily News website reported on January 15, 2009 that two men affiliated with the Latino street gang, Canoga Park Alabama, are being charged with last month’s murder of an African American father of two. Martin Sotelo, 23 and Richard Bordelon, 21, each of Conoga Park, have been charged with the murder of James Shamp, 48 who was shot outside his work place on December 22 in this Los Angeles violent crime. Police say the attack was racially motivated, potentially making Bordelon and Sotelo eligible for the death penalty.

According to police reports, Shamp, who had been an employee at Canoga Park bowl for 7 years, was emptying the trash in the back ally when he was shot in this violent crime. A car with several people in it rolled up and opened fire on Shamp.

Detetective Dave Peteque said, “It was 100 percent racially motivated. I can’t say anything, but it’ll come out in court.”

Los Angeles Cops Target Drunk Drivers on Super Bowl Sunday

Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas were out in full force on Super Bowl Sunday, hoping to find drunk drivers, according to The San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

In Los Angeles County’s 88 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas, there were dozens of patrols and checkpoints targeting drunk drivers on Super Bowl Sunday. As well as finding intoxicated drivers, checkpoints are a good way to find unlicensed or other illegal drivers. Roving patrols were also activated in several areas throughout the county.

In California, anyone with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher is considered to be intoxicated. A man who weighs 160 pounds can have a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher by drinking three beers in about an hour.

Law enforcement officials recommend that if anyone is planning on drinking at an event such as a Super Bowl party, they should plan ahead to have a designated sober driver. If you host a party, Super Bowl or otherwise, at which alcohol is served, there are some measures you can take to reduce the chances of a guest driving while drunk after the party. Make sure to provide plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Have several options for other driving arrangements lined up, such as a designated driver and some taxi numbers. If a guest appears to be drunk, don’t let them drive.

A California DUI can be devastating. It can hurt a person’s family, career, finances, and future. If you have been charged with drunk driving in Los Angeles County, contact the Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Skilled criminal defense lawyer Lawrence Wolf has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense. Call today for a free consultation at [number type=”1″] today.

Alleged Members of Israeli Crime Family Charged with Drug Trafficking, Racketeering

Five individuals who are reported to be members of a powerful Israeli crime family were recently charged in Los Angeles with drug trafficking and racketeering, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The men have been accused of using a gang based in the San Fernando Valley to distribute ecstasy, and prosecutors also allege that they paid a gang member to kill a man who stole a shipment of drugs. The men were recently arrested in Israel and were extradited to the United States by U.S. Marshalls. They will be held in custody until after the trial, which is expected to last for two months, but a date has yet to be set. The men were denied bond because of their lack of ties with the community.

All of the men pleaded not guilty to all charges. If they are convicted, they could serve life in prison. Their prison sentences would be carried out in Israel under international treaties.

These charges are very serious. These defendants have been charged with federal crimes, rather than state crimes. Under federal sentencing guidelines, judges have to impose minimum mandatory sentences, even if the sentence seems excessive. There are over 100 federal crimes in the U.S. Code. In addition, any crime that is committed on federal property can be considered a federal crime.

Have you been charged with a federal crime in California? If so, contact the Los Angeles federal crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our office has been helping defendants accused of federal crimes for more than 40 years. Call us today at 866-390-7373 to learn more about your legal rights under the federal system.

How to Choose a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to Fight Drug Charges

California drug charges can have extremely serious consequences for your life. Some of the punishments for drug offenses include prison time, fines, court-ordered rehab, the loss of professional licenses, and more.

If you have been charged with a California drug crime, such as possession of cocaine or methamphetamine, manufacture of cocaine or methamphetamine, or sales of illegal drugs, you need to hire a very skilled lawyer. It is best to hire an attorney who focuses solely on criminal law, rather than a general practitioner who dabbles in criminal law on the side.

You should look at an attorney’s reputation. If you have worked with other lawyers, call them to ask for recommendations for a criminal attorney. Ask friends or family members for recommendations. You could also look at websites that provide reviews from clients to see what former clients think of their experiences with an attorney.

California criminal defense attorneys also need significant experience in drug offenses. A lawyer may have years of experience in white collar crimes or violent crimes, but has never handled a drug crime before. It’s best to locate an attorney with a significant amount of experience defending against drug charges.

Once you have gotten a few names, check out the websites of the attorneys. Do their websites show a lot of up to date knowledge and experience with drug charges? Consider calling the attorneys to see if they would consult with you before you select one. Do you feel comfortable with the attorney? Do they inspire confidence? Do your personalities mesh well together?

If you are searching for a Los Angeles drug crimes attorney, contact the knowledgeable lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Contact us today at [number type=”1″].

Fewer than 300 Murders in Los Angeles for First Time in Decades

For the first time since the late 1960s, Los Angeles has had fewer than 300 murders in the city in 2010, according to latimes.com. In the early 90s, there were over 1,000 murders in the city for three consecutive years.

The statistics are promising, not only because of the huge decrease in murders in the city, but also because a large number of the murders, as well as other violent crimes, are viewed as “repressible.” Repressible crimes are those which can be prevented with an increase in the police force, or improvements in the nature of police work. Crimes which are not repressible are crimes that no amount of police work could prevent, such as domestic violence.

About 50 percent of the murders that occurred this year were gang crimes. Gang crimes are repressible in large part. Gang crimes are considered repressible because Los Angeles has seen a big decrease in gang crime due to efforts such as community programs and early intervention.

Have you been charged with a violent Los Angeles crime, such as homicide or murder? If so, you may receive 25 years to life in prison, or even the death penalty, under California’s mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Whether or not a crime is considered a violent crime depends on whether or not a weapon was used, whether or not the crime was intentional, and how seriously the victim was injured.

If you have been charged with a violent crime, contact the Los Angeles violent crime defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf by calling [number type=”1″]. We have extensive experience in defending against a variety of criminal charges.